MAYOR GIULIANI CUTS RIBBON TO OPEN THE FORD CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IN THE NEW TIMES SQUARE
"Ragtime" To Premiere January 18, 1998 At New 1,821 Seat Theater
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today celebrated the opening of the Ford Theater for the Performing Arts during a ribbon cutting ceremony on the theater's stage at 213 West 43rd Street in the New Times Square. The Ford Theater for the Performing Arts was built on the site of the legendary Lyric and Apollo Theaters incorporating decorative elements from the historic buildings.
The Mayor was joined at today's ribbon cutting ceremony by Governor George E. Pataki, Livent Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Garth H. Drabinsky, Livent President Myron Gottlieb, Ford Division General Marketing Manager Darryl Hazel, Ford Motor Company Vice President and General Manager Ross Roberts, New 42nd Street President Cora Cahan, and the Director of Theater for the Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting Wally Rubin.
"Today, as we open the Ford Theater for the Performing Arts, it seems like the stars are all aligned. As we prepare to celebrate our centennial as a City, this wonderful new performance space and the premiere of Ragtime both remind us of our glorious, complex past and point to our exciting future," said Mayor Giuliani. "This new theater in the New Times Square is another symbol of the way that this City is turning around. It's cleaner and safer; an exciting and welcoming place for families, tourists, and all New Yorkers. 42nd Street and the New Times Square are booming because businesses have confidence that they can make a safe and smart investment here at 'The Crossroads of the World.'"
Nearly a billion dollars in private investment has already been committed to the revitalization of the New Times Square. In addition to the new Ford Theater for the Performing Arts, the New Times Square is also home to the Disney Store, the New
Victory Theater, the New Amsterdam Theater, MTV's new studios and dozens of other retail stores. Soon the New Times Square will have a new entertainment complex that will house AMC's 25 screen movie theater, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, a $300 million hotel and entertainment complex, and the new Reuters North American Headquarters.
"The Ford Theater for the Performing Arts is an instant New York City landmark," the Mayor continued. "The grandeur of the old Lyric and Apollo Theaters inspired the construction of this new state-of-the-art space that combines a respect for history with great seating, superb sight lines, an intimate feel, and wonderful acoustics making this the second-largest theater on Broadway.
"The Ford Theater for the Performing Arts is a great example of the investments private companies -- the Ford Motor Company and Livent Inc. -- have made to the New Times Square. I want to thank Ford and Livent for making a commitment to New York City and the arts. l know that all New Yorkers will look forward to seeing Ragtime when it previews this December and when it makes its Broadway premiere next January," the Mayor concluded.
The official opening night of the Ford Theater for the Performing Arts' inaugural production of Ragtime will be January 18, 1998. Preview performances will begin on December 26, 1997.
The Toronto firm of Kofman Engineering Ltd. served as project manager and architect and worked in association with Beyer, Blinder, Belle Architects and Planners, LLP of New York.
Other dignitaries at today's ceremony were: Ford Center Architects Richard Blinder and Peter Kofman; Ford Center Interior Designer Roger Morgan; Rogers & Hammerstein Organization President Ted Chapin; Actresses Glenn Close, Chita Rivera, Elaine Stritch and Vanessa Williams; Actors Christopher Plummer, Colm Wilkinson, Michel Bell and Mandy Patinkin; Director Harold Prince; Composer Marvin Hamlisch; Choreographer Susan Stroman; Playwrights John Guare, Terrence McNally and Alfred Uhry; Singer Donny Osmond; Opera Star Kathleen Battle; Lyricists Lynn Ahrens and Craig Carnelia; Ragtime Novelist E.L. Doctorow; Ragtime Director Frank Galati; Ragtime Choreographer Graciela Daniele; Ragtime Composer Stephen Flaherty; Ragtime Costume Designer Santo Loquasto; Ragtime Production Designer Eugene Lee and Ragtime cast members.
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